FX.co ★ Heating Oil Holds Losses

US heating oil futures hovered near $4.28 per gallon, consolidating most of the previous session’s losses as markets weighed the impact of heightened US economic pressure on Iran aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The Trump administration unveiled plans for new secondary sanctions on entities supporting Iran’s economy under a campaign branded “Operation Economic Outcast.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington is targeting Iran’s global financial linkages and pressing other countries to sever economic ties with Tehran. However, traders remain uncertain whether these steps will loosen Iran’s hold on the critical shipping lane or instead prolong disruptions. At the same time, robust diesel refining margins and low US distillate inventories underscored ongoing tightness in refined-product markets, with stockpiles running about 12–13% below the five-year average ahead of fall maintenance and the winter heating season.